EFCC: Court convicts, sentences 3 internet fraudsters to prison in Benin
By ABIRHIRE THOMAS, South South
Three Internet fraudsters, Daniel Ogbemudia Isaiah, Aisosa Enobahkre and Omokaro Augustine Israel, have been convicted and sentenced to prison in a yet another judicial victory secured by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Making the ruling on Tuesday April 5, 2022 was Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City.
The trio was arraigned by the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC on one count charge of impersonation and obtaining by false pretence.
For instance, Our South South Correspondent said, one of the defendants, Isaiah, presented himself as Henrick Kronberg, a crypto-currency investment expert on Instagram in order to defraud unsuspecting victims.
The charge against Enobahkre read, “that you Aisosa Enobahkre (alias Jerry Burger) sometime in 2021 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud different persons falsely represented yourself as one Jerry Burger a bitcoin mining expert on Instagram and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap 48 Laws of Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976.”
Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded guilty to the charge and, in view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, K. U Udus prayed the court to convict and sentence them, accordingly.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced the duo of Enobahkre and Isaiah to two years imprisonment or a fine of N300,000 while Israel bagged two years imprisonment or a fine of N200,000.
The trio is to forfeit their phones to the Federal Government of Nigeria and make a written undertaking to be of good behaviour.
